Pre-history

(Ancient memories upplied by our beloved co-founders, the eternally youthful Barwnes Rhieinwen Cyfarwydd ferch Angharad and Barone Umberto Lodovico Scolari.)

Rheinwen and Umberto had been in the SCA for eight or nine years when they moved from the Kingdom of Caid to the Kingdom of Drachenwald. They arrived in the small country of Wales during June 1998. They became very active in The Isles, attending every event - and soon wished that an event could be closer to home. And so, in November 1999, they hosted Kingdom University at Caldicot Castle. In spring 2000 they hosted Crown Tourney in Caerwent Village Hall, Caerwent. They had a little assistance from a local named Bruce and various cooks and friends from around The Isles but for most part they ran the events themselves.

A Shire is Born

In December 1999, the first shire meeting was hosted in the back of a car on the way to Yule Ball in Flintheath. The members present were Rhieinwen Cyfarwydd ferch Angharad, Lord Umberto Lodovico Scolari, Valeria delle Stelle, Ruth Jones and Bruce. At the time they were holding regular rapier practises at Cardiff University. Ruth happened to be chatting with a new friend who shared with her an interest in period music. Ruth finally said, "I have to go. I have an SCA meeting. SCA stands for--" at which point Blodeuwedd y Gath allegedly grabbed her and began shaking her, shouting, "Where are they? I've been trying to find them for years!" Blodeuwedd had moved from the Kingdom of Lochac. (Australia) a few years before, where she'd been active with the SCA. But she hadn't been able to find a local group in Britain.

The first "official" business meeting was in March 2000. Meeting became more frequent at the point, and regular meetings were had twice a month, once in Cardiff and once at the home of Rheinwen and Umberto in Newport. New members soon joined, and Amanda began hosting cooking nights twice a month, which became regular group get-togethers. Maredudd ap Gwylim and his lady, Julian ferch Luned, and Arianrhod ferch Branwen and her somewhat reluctant Lord, John followed soon after.

Official matters

The first officers were:

August 2000, a vote was held and the name and device of the shire decided, and in July 2001 both were passed by Laurel. In November 2000, incipiency was applied for and soon awarded to the shire. The first official event was St. Catherine's Day in November 2000. Rheinwen was the Event Steward and Blodeuwedd was the Head Cook.

Onwards, in health

In January 2002, the Shire hosted Kingdom Coronation in Caerphilly Castle. This was to be Rheinwen and Umberto's last event in Drachenwald, as they moved back to Caid only a few days later. The Shire presented them with an incredible scroll written and designed by Maredudd ap Gwylim. Their Majesties Elffin and Signy awarded them greatly deserved Court Baronetcies for the work they had done during their three and a half years in Drachenwald. Coronation was once again held in Caerphilly Castle in January 2004. The populace of the thriving Shire of Mynydd Gwyn was present in force.